which substrate for dart frogs

[dartfrog]

hi guys i will have some coco fibre left over from my diy background , can i use this as a substrate? as i am going to be growing plants what can i mix it with ? can i use garden peat as i have a bag of that not getting used or would you recommend something else
thanks for any help

[beyond colour]

A good substrate for vivariums is the ABG (Atlanta Botanical Garden) mix. It consists of 1 part fine milled peat, 1part fine milled sphagnum moss, 1 part fine charcoal, 2 part fine tree fernfiber, and 2 parts fine orchid bark. Zoomed has a product called Eco Earth that is a loose coconut fiber substrate. They clame its good in naturalalistic terrarium type set-ups. I have one viv set-up using this at the time seeing how it is going to work as is before i make additions to it or just toss it out. More and more people are starting to add turface to their substraites with good results. It helps to increase drainage while keeping the substrait moist. If anyone is interested in the ABG mix but dont want to mix it yourself, i believe i have seen it on joshs frogs already pre mixed.

[dartfrog]

thanks for the reply , ideally i would like something already mixed which i could get in the UK as shipping from the US would be quite high i imagine
thanks

[beyond colour]

Sorry i didnt notice the nationality when i posted. i would like to hear what you deside to mix it with and how it works for you.

[guilletto]

I think coco fiber, sphagnum moss and Oak Leaves would be fine. Im from Spain and i got the same problem with shipping costs!

[deranged chipmunk]

you can definitely mix the cocofiber with ground peat. you can add some orchid bark, coco husk or charcoal (or all three) to help with drainage. turface is the same soil that they use in american baseball parks and fields. it drains unbelievably, but is ridiculously expensive. if you have a garden center where you live that deals with orchids, they should have all the supplies you should need.

[Meefloaf]

visit swell reptiles online fella, got FINE orchid bark, exo terra tree fern fibre, eco earth, gedt some zoo med AAAgrade sphagnum moss and oak leaves/magnolia leaves and mix it all up

[dartfrog]

thanks for your replies guys , i will be getting my substrate next week then i will be ready for plants so expect plenty more questions

[deranged chipmunk]

if you guys know of decent vendors in your country, why don't you collaborate on some posts on where to find viv supplies in the UK and where to find plants in the UK? i'm sure it would help out a lot of members in your country who have found themselves in the same predicament.

[Meefloaf]

Shall get on it when I get in tonight Bill, still no luck on drylok lol